System of determining core dip



Nbv. 27, 1928. 1,692,885

J. E. BRANTLY SYSTEM OF DETERMINING CORE DIP Filed Oct. 51. 1924 2 Sheets-Shet 1 2% $2 X g 20 I Z? Z 23 2 2; B

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-.|. E. BRANTLY SYSTEM OF DETERMINING CORE DIP Filed Oct. 31. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /f2X// /y// Patented Nov. 27, 1928..

UNITED STATES 1,692,885 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. BRANTLY, OF UPPER DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ATLANTIC OIL PRODUCING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

SYSTEM OF DETERMINING CORE DIP.

Application filed Octoberfll, 1924. Serial No. 747,138.

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for determining the direction of dip or inclination of stratification or analogous formation of sub-surface rock or the like in or through which wells are drilled for procuring petroleum, water, gas or the like.

In accordance' with my invention the direction of dip or inclination of stratification or the like is determined by cutting and removing from the well a core from the rock in question, after first applying to the rock from which the cd'reis cut a structure comprising a magnetic needle or equivalent direction indicating means and means for locking or holding it in direction indicating position in fixed relation to the rock, whereby upon re moval of the coreits angular position before severance from the rock is determinable and from its angular position the direction of dip or inclination of stratification of the rock from which it was cut is determinable.

My invention resides in the method and apparatus of the character hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

For an understanding of my method and for an illustration of some of the various forms my structure may take reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a Vertical sectional view of a bottom of a well and a side elevation of structure embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the bottom of a well showing the rock, core and core cutting structure in section, and my apparatus in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a portion of the structure of Fig. 2. t

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view,

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the needle in locked position.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, at right angles to Fig. 11 showing the needle in locked position.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, R represents rock or the like below the surface of theearth and having a characterizin formation as for example Stratification, the lines, planes or surfaces of which are indicated bythe lines S the direction of whose dip or inclination with respect to the horizontal is to be determined.

W re resents a cylindrical bore or Well drilled rom the surface of the earth into the rock R for the purpose of procuring petrole um, water, gas or other material. .Wells of such character are generally drilled in numbers within certain promising areas or fields and for the purpose of determining a proper or promising location of a succeeding well it is desirable to learn the direction of the dip or inclination of Stratification of the subsurface rock of a given well.

The bottom of the bore. or Well is indicated at B as the lower limit of the drilling effected up to the time a core is to be cut and removed for determination-of direction ofdip of Stratification, or, in general, the original-position of the core while still a part of the rock bed.

For the purposes of my invention there is drilledinto the rock R below the bottom B the hole H preferably of suitably smaller diameter from that of the well W, preferably after there has been previously taken fromthe material R a core to determine whether it is stratified or of otherwise satisfactory character.

After formation of the hole H there is introduced into it a structure or cartridge com- W and thereby serving to center the cartridge and guide it to its ultimate position. Threaded into the guide 1 is the adapter 5 for connecting the cartridge cap 2 to the member 4. The cap 2 is detachablyseoured to the member 5 by frangible pins or Wires 6 of any suitable material as aluminum, copper, etc., which may be Z-shaped, as indicated, placed in registering recesses 7 and 8 in the outer surface the hole H.

The cap member 2 is provided upon its under side with the teeth or lugs 11 adapted to engage the bottom B of the well and thereby prevent rotation of the cartridge structure. At least one lug 11 is unequally spaced from its neighbors as indicated in Fig. 5 whereby the marks effected by the lugs upon the bottom B, which is later removed as part of the core, will serve to show the initial or original angular position of the cartridge structure with respect to the core of rock.

Upon the exterior of the .cartridge shell 1 are the longitudinally extending ribs or teeth 12 which score vertical grooves in the wall of the hole H as the cartridge is inserted to prevent rotation of the cartridge, these grooves serving further to show the original position of the cartridge structure with respect to the rock, by virtue of the fact that at least one of the ribs 12 is unequally spaced circumferentially with respect to its neighbors as shown in Fig. 5.

The bottom plu 3 is conical or tapered at its lower end to acilitate guiding the cartridge structure as it is lowered or forced downwardly into the hole H. It is provided also with the conical or tapering neck 13 increasing in diameter downwardly. Surrounding the neck 13 and disposed above the shoulder 14 is the annular cartridge lockingspring or member 15 whose inside wall is tapered substantially parallel to the taper of the neck 13. The ring 15 is circumferentially incomplete, the ends being normally separated by a small gap 16, Fig. 8. Upon the ring 15 is a circumferential series of teeth or lugs 17 substantially uniformly spaced from each other and adapted upon upward movement of the cartridge shell 1 and plug 3 to bite into the wall of the hole H in which the structure 15 is expanded as the tapered neck 13 moves upwardly with respect to the locking spring 15. The locking spring 15 is prevented from rotating with respect to the plug 3 by the lug 18 engaging in the slot 19 in the neck 13.

The cap 2 has the central cylindrical boss 20 which enters a recess 21 in the adapter member 5. Through the boss 20 extends the vertical hole 22 through which extends the hanger pin or member 23 threaded into the the lower end of the pin 23. I

At its lower end the member 25 carries a series of pointed pins or needles 28 preferably equally spaced circumferentially from eachother, as indicated in Fig. 7 to any suitable extent, for example 10. As indicated in Fig. 7 the series of pins 28 may occupy substantially a semicircle or somewhat more additional pins 28 serve to prevent toppling of the block 25 after its descent.

Into a hole in the center of the threaded nipple 29 of the bottom plug 3 is threaded the split clamping bushing 30 through which extends the pivot pin 31 which is clamped and held in fixed position bythe member 30 which carries also the plate or disc 32 between which and the end of the nipple 29 is held the disc or cushion 33 of any suitable material into which the points or pins of the needles 28 may penetrate. For example the'member 33 may be formed from a slice of Whitepotato, sweet potato, firm apple, mellon rind, or any other suitable material which is. not affected by the substantial hydraulic pressure existing under the circumstances of use.

The pivot pin 31 is pointed at its upper end on which is pivoted and poised the magnetic compass needle M of any suitable type, but which, as in the example illustrated, may be of the general character utilized in transits and like instruments, for indicating the north and south direction. In the body of the needle is threaded the member 34 in whose upper end is carried the jewel 35 enclosed by the cap 36. Depending from the needle M is the bracket 37 having the horizontal annular member 38 surrounding the pivot pin 31 to which is clamped between the member 38 and the needle M the disc or member 39 ofa diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture 38 within the member 38. The member 39 is so positioned with respect to the member 38 that the needle M can-not be displaced from the pivot 31 since the perpendicular distance between the upper surface of the member 38 and the lower surface of the member 39 is less than the vertical height from the point of the pivot pin 31 to the plane of the lower edge of the member 3 1.

As indicated, the needle M is shaped at its ends in the form ofa knife edge with 4hr sharp edge presented upwardly, and llr width of the needle M at the lower sides of its ends is somewhat less than the distance between the pins or needles 28.

The members 4, 5, the cartridge structure and all other elements and parts above described, except the magnetic needle M, are

constructed of non-magnetic material, such as ed in the hole H with the parts in the relative positions indicated in Fig. 2, the needle M, positioned at the bottom of the well, takes a position coincident in direction with the earths magnetic field, that is, a north and south direction.

Thereafter the members 4 and 5 are drawn upwardly, and due to the fact that the cartridge is locked. in the hole H and is prevented by the locking spring 15,from rising or pulling out of the hole H, the pins or mem-' bers 6 are sheared off or broken, and as the member 5 continues to rise thereafter the member25 soon engages the cap 2 whereupon the link or hook 27 is broken or otherwise disengaged from the member 25, whereupon the latter falls by gravity, without substantial turning movement or rotation, and the pins 28 pass to both sides of the knife edge ends of the compass needle M and penetrate into the cushion 33, looking or holding the needle M in substantially north and south position with respect to the cartridge structure, as indicated for example in Figs. 6

and 7, and therefore with respect to the rock later to be cut to form the core. The accuracy will be the greater as the angular spacing between the pins 28 is less After removal of the members ,4 and 5 from the well, with the cartridge structure still in the hole H and the needle M locked in north and south position, there is lowered into the well any suitable structure, such for example as indicated in Fig. 3, for cutting a core C in which is the hole H and the contained cartridge. There may be utilized any well-drilling equipment capable of cutting cores, such for'example as the ordinary rotary equipment illustrated, diamond drills, Calyx drills, etc. In the example illustrated the bit 40 provided with they rock cutting elements 41 is rotated by the sleeve member 42 which in turn is'rotated by the member 43. When the annular out has attained suitable depth. preferably to a point below the bottom of the hole H, the member 43 is hoisted out of the well, andas it starts to ascend the, member 44 becomes wedged between the core 0 and the inner tapered wall of the member 40, thereby firmly binding the core to the member 40, and eventually rupturing it or breaking it loose from the rock R, as at c. The core C, with the cartridge in fixed position therein, is accordingly hoisted'from the well and upon removal of the core' G from the members 40, 42 and 43 the angular position of the cartridge with respect to the now visible dip or inclination ofthe stratification faces S is observed and upon removal of the cap 2 the relative position of the needle M is observed, and from these observations is readily determinable the direction of dip or inclination of the stratification or formation of analogous character of or within the subsurface rock R.

When the well drilling equipment is of a character more readily suitable to rotation of 85 the members 4 and 5,-they may be rotated to shear off the pins or members 6 and then withdrawn from the well. The teeth or ribs 12 or the lugs or teeth 11, together with the looking effect of the spring locking spring 15, prevent rotation of'the cartridge structure during such shearing action; and immediately the member 5 rises, the member 25 is again raised into contact with the cap 2 to sever the Anysuitable method and structure may be ,utilized for locking the direction indicating element, as the magnetic needle M, in the posi-. tion within the cartridge before withdrawal of the cartridge and core from the well.

A modified structure for this purpose is fragmentarily illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13 in-, elusive wherein the member 25 engages directly'with its lower end upon the top side of the magnetic needle M, which in this case has its knife edges presented downwardly to be driven into the annular cushion member 33 of any suitable material, which may be soft metal such as lead or thelikepsupported upon the upperend of the annular projection 45 upon the'bottom plug 3. In this case the pivot pin 31 is driven downwardly within the member 30, which slightly clamps it, when the member 25 descends upon the needle M.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a direction-indicating member therein, a locking member compris- 1 ing a sus ended weight having spaced downdescent thereof;

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a direction indicating member therein, a member for locking said direction indicating member in direction in dicating position, means for Withholding said locking member from locking position, means for releasing said locking member,-a member adapted to be lowered into a-well, and a frangible connection between said last named member and said casin 3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a direction indicating member therein, a member for locking said direction indicating member in direction indicating position, means for withholding said locking member from locking position, means for releasing saidlocking member, a member adapted to be lowered into a well, and a frangible connection between said last named member and said casing, said connection comprising a frangible member positioned to be sheared by relative movement between said last named member and said casing.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a guide member, a casing carried thereby, a frangible connection between said guide member and said easing, a direction indicating device in said casing, a locking member, and means detachably supporting said locking member upon said guide member, whereby said locking member is released upon rupture of said frangible connection to lock said direction indicating member.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a guide member, an adapter secured thereto and having a passage for circulation of water, a casing, a frangible connection between said casing and said adapter, a direction indicating device in said casing, a locking member, and means for releasing said locking member to lock said direction indicating member.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a guide member, an adapter secured thereto and having a passage for circu-' lation of water, a casing, a frangible connection between said casing and said adapter, a direction indicating device in said casing, a locking member, and means for releasing said locking member upon separation of said adapter from said casing to lock said direction indicating member.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a casing, a freely oscillatory knife-edged compass needle .therein having its sharp edge directed upwardly, a suspended locking member comprising a series of pins circumferentially spaced thereon, a penetrable member, and means for releasing saidv locking member to permit descent of said pins past the knife edge of said compass needle and on either side thereof into said penetrable member. .8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be fixed interiorly of a core and removed therewith from a well, a directlon indicatmg member there- 1n, means for locking sald member in direction indicating position, and a member on the exterior of said casing for non-rotatably fixing said casing with respect to sub-surface material.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing adapted to be fixed interiorly of a core and removed therewith from a well, an indicating member therein, means for, locking said member in direction indicating position, a tapered member on said casing, an annular locking spring embracing said tapered member, the exterior surface thereof upon relative movement with respect to said tapered member engaging the interior surface of said core to lock said casing in predetermined position with respect thereto.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing adapted. to be fixedinteriorly of a core and removed therewith from a well, a direction indicating member therein, and an external rib on said casing for non-rotatably fixing said casing against rotation with respect to sub-surface material.

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a plurality of ribs on the exterior of said casing for scoring sub-surface material in which said casing is inserted and preventing rotation thereof, said ribs being so disposed with respect to each other as to indicate the angular position of said casing with respect to said sub-surface material.

12. Apparatus of the characterdescribed comprising a casing, a'direction indicating device therein, a cap on said casing, and means on the under side of said cap adapted to engage sub-surface material for preventing rotation of said casing with respect to said material.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a direction indicating device therein, a cap on said casing, and a plurality of lugs on the under side of said cap for engaging sub-surface material for preventing rotation of said casing with respect to said material, said lugs being so disposed with respect to each other as to indicate the position of said casing with respect to said material.

14. A cartridge of the character described comprising a casing, a plug on the lower end thereof, an external locking spring, a direction indicating member within said casing upon said plug, a cap on the upper end of said casing, a lqcking member in said casing, and means extending through said cap for suspending said locking member.

15. A cartridge of the character described comprising a casing, a direction indicating member therein, a locking member disposed wholly within said casing, a cap on said casing, a member for supporting said casing,

and means extending through said cap and 1 connected to said last mentioned member for suspending said locking member.

16. A cartridge of the character described comprising a casing, a direction indicating member therein, a locking member within said casing, a cap on said casing, means extending through said cap for suspending said locking member, a member for supporting said cartridge, and a frangible connection between said cap and said supporting member.

17 In a Well having a main bore, the

method of determining the orientation ofv comprising a casing adapted for insertion in sub-surface material, a detachable element and a direction indicatingmember carried thereby, a member for locking said direction indicating member to said detachable element in direction indicating position, and means permitting separation of the detachable element from the casing While retaining the direction indicating member in locked position.

direction indicating member and a member.

of-penetrable material carried. by said detachable element, means eflecting penetration of said penetrable material for locking said direction indicating member to said detachable element, and means permitting separation of the detachable element from the easing While retaining the direction indicating member in locked position.

20. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing adapted for insertion in a bore of substantially the same diameter as the casing, direction indicating structure in said casing and means for locking the same in direction indicating position, and means comprising a tapered plug for guiding the easing into said' bore.

21. Apparatus of the character described comprising a casing, a direction-indicating member therein, a member of p'enetrablematerial, and means having a plurality of penetrating members normally lndependent of and separated from said indicating member movable-to a position engaging. said member on opposite sides thereof and penetrating said material, thereby locking said member in direction-indicating position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 23rd day of October,

JOHN 'E. BRANTLY. 

